Why use ROVs for mapping? AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) are so much better suited for pure-mapping tasks when compared to ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicl

Why use ROVs for mapping? AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) are so much better suited for pure-mapping tasks when compared to ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles). There is no need to have a full pilot/team operate a ROV 24/7 for tasks when most underwater mapping can be done with autonomous vehicles. The cost of developing and operating an AUV is near half of what it costs to operate a ROV, since you don't need nearly as complex of vehicles or as many staff on the ship - write the software once for an AUV and the important things can be replicated. I agree that the search space is huge, but human operated vehicles (especially humans driving via expensive ships) are absolutely not the answer. The cost of processing the multibeam data is negligible when compared to running vehicles in the deep ocean. (source: engineer for underwater vehicles)